Page 38 - Flathead Beacon // 6.4.14

38 | JUNE 4, 2014 REAL ESTATE
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

LANDMARKS
204 Fifth Ave. E., Kalispell
Nathan Rental Property

O’Neils also owned some 5,000 acres of timberland ad-
By JAIX CHAIX
joining the town of Kalispell.

In 1912, Eckleberry sold the property to its name- The Nathan Rental Property at 204 Fifth Ave.
sake: Abraham Nathan. Nathan had retired from the E. in Kalispell is a ine example of “untouched” his-
clothing business, which he began in Montana at Fort toric preservation. Save for repairs and a few minor
Benton in the 1870s. Nathan himself was cut from a improvements, this two-story, brick American Four-
unique cloth of men, and preferred a lifestyle that ap- square looks much like it did in 1900.
pealed to more than a few gentlemen of the Flathead The term “Foursquare” may seem like a misnomer;
Valley during the era.
however, the term refers to a home with four rooms

Nathan rented the home to others while he lived (not four corners). So technically speaking, this house
in hotel rooms and boarding houses – an arrangement is very much a Foursquare as it was originally designed
that allowed bachelors such as he and other industri- with two loors, with four rooms on each loor.
ous men to free themselves from the burden of house- The original stained-glass windows, original door
keeping while earning an income. Nathan kept such a frames, and the original, locally ired bricks reveal how
lifestyle and this rental house until he died in 1940.
little has been altered – and how much attention has PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
Fortunately, Nathan had kept the property in good been given to maintaining the home in the last century.
repair, as did many of the homeowners since. And And the house still sports one of the hallmarks of some (there are a few places in the valley bearing the

while a few improvements have been made (such as the American Foursquare style: a hipped, pyramid- name of Eckleberry kin), the house was home to many
the painting of the brick, and the altering of the front shaped roof (known as a “pyramidal roof”). All too of- other prominent residents as well.
porch), the house fortunately remains a ine example of ten such unique roofs (with their unique leaking prob- For example, Lafayette Tinkel, who founded the
a brick, two-story American Foursquare – one that has lems) were replaced over time – but this one has been hydro-electric power plant along the Swan River
been cared for impeccably.
left intact.
known as the “Bigfork Plant,” resided here while he
The house was originally built by James Eckleberry was president of the Big Fork Electric Power and Light
in 1900. Eckleberry was a farmer and had intended to Company.

Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreciates history and use the property as a rental from the start. Eckleber- Charles I. O’Neil also rented here. O’Neil and his
architecture. You can share ideas and historical facts ry was like many early farmers in the Flathead Valley brother Clinton came to the Flathead Valley in 1902
with him at [email protected] or at who were keen to keep a “rent house in town” to supple- and established the O’Neil Lumber Company – the
facebook.com/latheadvalleylandmarks. He is also ment or support their earnings, have a place for their largest operation of its kind in Northwest Montana
the author of “Death in the Valley: Odd Tragedies in children to attend school, or have a place to live “of the (and throughout the state for a while). The O’Neils op-
the Flathead Valley, Montana 1887-1917” available at farm” during the winter.
erated lumber yards, a planing mill, a sash and door
DeathInTheValley.com.
While the name “Eckleberry” may seem familiar to
factory and a box factory as well. Some may recall the

FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson

What You Can Buy for About $150,000
NEXT WEEK: $200,000

MARION
COLUMBIA FALLS
KALISPELL
BIGFORK

9650 Highway 2 W.
364 Third Ave. EN
120 Lambert Ct.
12586 Sunburst Dr.

PRICE: $129,900
PRICE: $129,900
PRICE: $133,000
PRICE: $149,500

WHAT: One-bedroom, one-bath home
WHAT: Two-bedroom, one-bath home WHAT: Two-bedroom, two-bath
WHAT: Two-bedroom, one-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 240
SQUARE FEET: 672
townhouse
SQUARE FEET: 956

This nice little cabin has one bedroom, This cozy home has a nice kitchen, SQUARE FEET: 1,260
This home sits on more than 3 beauti-
one bath and sits on more than 5 acres original wood looring, attached carport This nice townhouse in a quiet neigh- ful acres and includes new carpet,
with a creek in Marion.
and beautiful yard. Glacier Real Estate borhood features a large master suite paint and light ixtures. The property
Dean & Leininger of Kalispell
of Montana
and new cabinetry, counter tops and is private, treed and features views
looring. It also has a single garage with mountain views. Keller Williams Realty
MLS #: 326280
MLS #: 327313
storage. Seller Direct
Northwest Montana
MLS #: 327122
MLS #: 327048

If you would like your property listed in the Floor Space section,
please e-mail [email protected]. Entries are compiled by the What would 30 years of successful real-estate experience do for you?
Call Georgia, a certiied residential specialist for a free one-hour consultation.
Beacon staf and Georgia Christianson, Montana Brokers.